‘Mad Men’ delivers heartbreak of JFK tragedy; repeat times listed

“Mad Men” moved me to tears with its unforgettable episode on JFK’s assassination. It made that tragic Friday in November all too real again, while delivering some of the sharpest character development I’ve seen on TV all year.

If you missed it, there are a couple of repeats coming up: “Mad Men’s” episode 12 will replay at the wee, wee hours of 2 and 4 Wednesday morning on AMC.

I know, I know. Both are sleepy times. But that’s when recording comes in handy.

I suspected what happened in Dallas would be dealt with on this season of “Mad Men” set in 1963. I thought it might be the focus of next Sunday’s finale, however. Instead, executive producer/writer Matt Weiner delivered the big event on the penultimate episode, a trademark of his former series, “The Sopranos.”

The news creeps up on the characters in the middle of all kinds of workaday happenings at Sterling Cooper via a black-and-white TV in the background. We see the visage of Walter Cronkite and know what’s happening.

However, at Sterling Cooper, no one pays attention — at first.

Pete Campbell whines about rival Ken Cosgrove getting the big job they were vying for — senior vice president of accounts — saying he no longer has a future at the company.

Roger Sterling is preoccupied with his daughter’s pre-wedding jitters and complaints.

Peggy Olson continues her clandestine relationship with Duck, slipping out to a hotel room for what a co-worker refers to as “a nooner.”

The two even have their roll in the hay before Duck mentions he was distracted by something he saw on TV. Then, the realization happens.

Don Draper walks into Sterling Cooper amid loud, unanswered phones and crowds gathered in the corner around the television. He howls commandingly: “What the hell is going on?”

Suddenly, this big man is eclipsed by something so much bigger than him. Don becomes even smaller when he goes home. There’s no comforting a grieving Betty; the kids won’t listen to him when he tells them to stop watching TV.

The stranger he always has been is now a stranger in his own home. As Betty seems to gain strength in her mourning, he begins to fall apart.

The wedding of Sterling’s daughter actually goes on and, amidst the world’s unhappiness and chaos, has all the joy of a morgue.

Things unravel further when Betty, back to her living room set, witnesses the shooting of Oswald by Jack Ruby. It becomes a symbol to her of everything falling apart. Don stands there helpless as she chooses to leave the house for a drive. . .alone.

It’s all so sad, so heartbreaking – particularly Jon Hamm’s Emmy-deserving performance as the wilting Don.

So, set your DVR to record. AMC lists repeats at 2:02 a.m. and 4:03 a.m. early Wednesday. Not only is it amazing TV drama, but a reminder of what that dark Nov. 22 day meant to all of us.